Tanzania-Zambia Railway Celebrates 50 Years of Operation

Dar es Salaam Train Station Sees Delays as China Invests in Railway Upgrade

A train station in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was filled with passengers waiting for the Mukuba Express train to depart on schedule. However, an update over the tannoy announced a two-hour delay, which was not unexpected given the train’s reputation for unreliable service.

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) operates a railway line that spans 1,860 kilometers from Tanzania’s largest city through the southern highlands and into Zambia’s copper provinces. The journey is typically expected to take around 40 hours, but delays are common due to inconsistent maintenance and limited investment in the infrastructure.

The train runs on a route that passes through several national parks, including Mwalimu Julius Nyerere National Park, where a passenger train struck an African buffalo in August. Since January 2025, the TAZARA has experienced more serious incidents, resulting in fatalities and highlighting the need for an overhaul of the ageing infrastructure.

However, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has pledged $1.4 billion to refurbish the railway line over the next three years. The majority of the funds will be spent on rehabilitating the tracks, with $400 million allocated towards 32 new locomotives and 762 wagons. This investment aims to significantly increase freight and passenger transport capacity.

The project’s completion is expected to necessitate pauses in regular service as construction work is carried out. The TAZARA has stated that the upgrade will improve safety and reliability, but further details on the timeline and impact on passengers are not yet available.

Source: Al Jazeera